Number, UGY 632 for a routine inspection. During the inspection, Lt De Ocampo noticed the unusual behavior of the passengers and in plain view saw electrical wires believed to be wires for blasting caps in the pocket of one of the passengers which prompted subject officer to seek the assistance of the police personnel detailed with the Municipal Police station of Lumban, Laguna under Police Inspector Henry San Pedro at the same checkpoint for thorough inspection.

The troops requested the passenger to alight and proceed to the Police Action Center(PAC) Base for questioning and as they alighted they consented to the search of the items inside the vehicles which revealed two improvised explosive devices (IEDS). They were further requested to empty their pockets, which they did voluntarily, resulting to the confiscation of two blasting caps from Tito Garcia, four blasting caps from Gerald Pastolero and one hand grenade from Ruelito Soriano. Further investigation revealed that Pastolero is Nolan Ramos y De Lemana aka Boning, platoon leader of a Local Terrorist Group (NPA) in Laguna while Tito Garcia was identified as Mariano Julongbayan aka Rommel, the finance officer of same local terrorist group.Other items confiscated from these personalities are some personal belongings, the amount of Php 203,120.00 and 6 kilos anti-personal explosive.

It is believed that the explosive taken from them shall be used by the group to further their extortion activities. The three further revealed that the large amount of money came from their Permit to Campaign/Permit to win extortion schemes. Major Gen Jorge V. Segovia, Commander of the 2nd Infanry Division stressed that the apprehension of the three personalities is a big setback to the NPA terrorists in the province of Laguna and is credited to the excellent conduct of Internal Security Operations based on efficient coordination between the PRO lV-A under C/Supt Rolando Anonuevo and the 202nd Infantry Brigade, 2ID under Col Aurelio B. Baladad. (AFP/PIA) [top]